Villingili

Villingili lies about a kilometre west of Malé and is reached by a ferry that runs constantly through the day, and it functions as the capital's overflow: residential, with a few thousand people, no private cars, and beaches on the western side that people from Malé come over to use. It was briefly a resort before the housing pressure took it. The contrast with Malé's density is the point of the short crossing.

What you actually see

• The ferry - the ten-minute crossing running constantly from Malé.
• The beaches - the western shore used by people from the capital.
• The absence of cars - an island where bicycles and walking are the transport.
• The contrast - low-rise calm a kilometre from one of the densest cities anywhere.

When to go

Year round; ferries run through the day and into the evening. Weekends and evenings are busiest on the beaches. Ramadan changes the rhythm.

Honest expectations

This is a residential island, not a resort, and local dress standards apply on the beaches. Facilities are limited. There is little to do beyond swimming and walking.

Nearby

Malé is east across the water, and Hulhumalé is northeast.